> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://suntracer2030.gitbook.io/phillip-wilkerson-technical-writing-portfolio/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://suntracer2030.gitbook.io/phillip-wilkerson-technical-writing-portfolio/writing-sample-15.md).

# Writing Sample #15

This example is a writing test from a potential employer.

### Editorial Revisions <a href="#writingsample-15-editorialrevisions" id="writingsample-15-editorialrevisions"></a>

Instructions: Make these sentences clearer. You can revise, rewrite, and reformat them in any way.

My responses are shown in the **Revision** section of each table.

| Original | Locate the lines that start with PreReqPath and modify the attributes to provide the prerequisite software install media locations. If there are multiple perquisites, each entry must be separated by comma (,). |
| -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Revision | Locate the **PreReqPath** lines and modify the **media location** attributes. Separate multiple prereq locations with a comma.                                                                                    |

&#x20;

| Original | Open the abc.txt response file from any of the examples provided in the media by using a text editor tool such as Notepad. |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Revision | Each example includes an **abc.txt** response file, which you can open with a text editor (for example, Notepad).          |

&#x20;

| Original | The grids can be reset to their initial settings by using the Restore Layout option under the TOOLS dropdown box from the Menu bar, or with the quick key \<CTRL> R or on the far righthand list under Tools.                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Revision | <p>There are three ways to reset the grids to their default parameters: </p><ul><li>Click <strong>TOOLS > Restore Layout</strong> from the Menu bar. </li><li>Press the <strong>\<CTRL> R</strong> quick key.</li><li>Select <strong>Tools</strong> from the far righthand menu.</li></ul><p>(For the third bullet, I’d ask the SME for clarification on the “far righthand list” and get a correct UI element name.)</p> |

&#x20;&#x20;

| Original | System navigation consists of various menu options and point and clicking on various grids, tabs, buttons, and so on to display more detailed information of the item of interest.     |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Revision | <p>To navigate the system: </p><ul><li>Pick options from the menus.</li><li>Click grids, tabs, and buttons to see details.</li><li>Point to UI elements to display tooltips.</li></ul> |

### Remove the unnecessary or redundant words in the following phrases <a href="#writingsample-15-removetheunnecessaryorredundantwordsinthefollowingphrases" id="writingsample-15-removetheunnecessaryorredundantwordsinthefollowingphrases"></a>

| Original | in an effort to improve                                    |
| -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Revision | <p>To improve the widget…</p><p>Improve the widget by…</p> |

| Original | all programmers or any programmers                                                                                                                            |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Revision | <p>Programmers can….</p><p>You can…(when audience persona is already established as programmers)</p><p>As a programmer, you can</p><p>Any programmer can…</p> |

| Original | in a manner similar to                                                                                                                                                                  |
| -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Revision | <p>Similar to (depending on context)</p><p>Like</p><p>This language is similar to that language.</p><p>The vernacular sounds like German but is spoken only in northeastern France.</p> |

&#x20;             &#x20;

### Simplify the following phrases <a href="#writingsample-15-simplifythefollowingphrases" id="writingsample-15-simplifythefollowingphrases"></a>

| Original | make a requirement                                     |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Revision | <p>requires</p><p>The heater requires electricity.</p> |

&#x20;    &#x20;

| Original | steps for installation and configuration                                                                                                                                                               |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Revision | <p>Install and Configure Steps (heading)</p><p>Installation and Configuration (heading followed by a numbered task)</p><p>To Install and configure the widget: (followed by step 1 in the process)</p> |

&#x20;              &#x20;

| Original | is applicable to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Revision | <p>(applies to)</p><p>The age rule applies to all Virginia drivers.</p><p>(appropriate)</p><p>Use an appropriate pronoun for each gender.</p><p>Use procedural steps, and provide notes, hints, and tips, as applicable<strong>.</strong></p><p>You can use procedural steps, and provide notes, hints, and tips, as appropriate<strong>.</strong></p> |

***